Leeds 2-2 Bournemouth VERDICT — Mail 27/9/25

The summer signing who already looks like a bargain, why one Cherries star was a 'joy to watch' and the weapon that will be key in the hosts' survival battle

By AADAM PATEL

Leeds suffered late heartache at Elland Road on Saturday as Bournemouth's Eli Kroupi scored an injury time equaliser to rescue a point for Andoni Iraola's side.

Antoine Semenyo had put the Cherries ahead after just 26 minutes, but Leeds hit back through Joe Rodon, before Sean Longstaff made it 2-1 to the hosts.

It looked as if Daniel Farke's side were going to make it two wins in a row, but Kroupi struck right at the death to ensure the clash ended 2-2.

Daily Mail Sport's AADAM Patel was at Elland Road, and he has picked out some key talking points from the clash. 

Leeds using home advantage

Three Premier League games at Elland Road and Leeds are yet to taste defeat.

Everton and Newcastle failed to score here and though Bournemouth scored twice, Leeds were unlucky not to take all three points.

When they lost at Fulham two weeks ago, it was hard to see where the goals would come from with just one in their first four games.

But Leeds boss Daniel Farke remained confident and his players have delivered with five goals in their last two.

Against a Bournemouth side that have started the season so well under Andoni Iraola and only lost to Liverpool, Leeds showed why they will be so tough to beat.

They’re now unbeaten in their last 23 home league games (W18, D5).

‘We’ve shown that we’re fully made for this level,’ Farke insisted.  

Longstaff shows his class

Sean Longstaff didn’t get in Leeds’ starting eleven for their first two Premier League games but here was a reminder of why Farke was so keen to bring him in from Newcastle in the summer.

The 27-year-old was relentless and showed his quality with an assist before scoring an absolute belter to give Leeds the lead.

‘He was outstanding. We’re pretty blessed to have him,’ said Farke.

A fortnight ago, Longstaff nearly scored a stunner at Fulham but his effort struck the crossbar.

This time, his half volley arrowed into the top corner to send Elland Road wild before Leeds were undone by an injury-time equaliser.

At just £12M, the early signs indicate that Leeds got a bargain.

Semenyo destined for big move

Leeds will be disappointed that Antoine Semenyo’s free-kick got through the wall, especially when Brenden Aaronson was used as a draft excluder.

Karl Darlow should have done better but Semenyo is having a stunning start to the season and was a joy to watch all afternoon, even if his manager insisted that this was not one of his better games.

His brace at Anfield on the first day of the campaign got people talking and the 25-year-old has followed that up with two goals and two assists in Bournemouth’s next five league games.

It’s early doors but you can imagine there’ll be a few big clubs looking at him already.

Leeds make most of key weapon

It's no secret that Leeds consider set-pieces as a key priority in their bid for survival and it’s no surprise too given the profile of players they invested in over the summer.

Farke would have been delighted with their equaliser after Joe Rodon headed in Longstaff’s corner.

Leeds have failed to make their aerial advantage count in their previous games but they showed exactly why it will be crucial with Longstaff’s deliveries causing Bournemouth an array of problems.

‘We are probably one of the shortest teams in the league,’ said Iraola. ‘They (Leeds) punished us.’